Redesigned 2013 Accord is first of many Hondas to have CVT
By Jonathan, 12 Jan, 2012. 0 Comments
2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept
The new 2013 Honda Accord will have a continuously variable transmission as its only automatic transmission offered when it comes together with a four-cylinder engine. The launch of the CVT in the redesigned Accord is just the first among the Honda vehicles to have this transmission type, executives revealed. According to Honda Motor CEO Takanobu Ito, the company has "a lot of expectations" for the CVT technology, adding that careful consideration must be made with regard to deciding which models can be "most effective" to have the technology.
In addition, the Accord four-cylinder is available with a five-speed manual transmission. However, the manual gearbox generally accounts for a small percentage of total sales, CEO of American Honda Tetsuo Iwamura revealed. Meanwhile, the V-6 Accord will be available in six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president, related that there will be "some institutional learning" for customers, "but I think we'll do fine with it." He added that other traditional-transport automobiles will be candidates for getting the CVTs. He also said that any vehicle with off-road or performance characteristics would stay with the traditional geared transmissions.
In November, Honda allowed journalists to drive the CVT at its Motegi test track. Most CVTs have an off-putting feeling such as a slipping clutch under acceleration as the transmission struggles to find the proper ratio, but the Honda CVT felt much more precise. [source: Autonews]
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